Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot
Micropsitta keiensis
The Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot (Micropsitta keiensis) is a rare old world parrot found in 2 countries, weighing about 12 g. The yellow-capped pygmy parrot is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae mainly found throughout western New Guinea.










About the Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot
The yellow-capped pygmy parrot is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae mainly found throughout western New Guinea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical mangrove forests, and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. Like many parrots, this pygmy parrot is affectionate to its mate. It is currently unknown if they remain monogamous for life like many bigger parrots because of their isolated location, which is difficult to reach.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Adults of both sexes are green, have a yellow crown and undertail coverts, blue central tail feathers and brown eyes. It has three subspecies: the nominate (M. k. keiensis), M. k. chloroxantha and M. k. viridipectus. Juveniles of M. k. keiensis are generally duller in color; the other subspecies are as in adults. Generally, they are approximately 9.5 cm (3.7 in) long and 11-14 g (0.4-0.5 oz) in weight. It is the smallest species of parrot.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: June, July, August, September, October, November, with peak activity in July. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot?
- Adults of both sexes are green, have a yellow crown and undertail coverts, blue central tail feathers and brown eyes. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot?
- The Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot is a tiny sized bird weighing about 12 g.
- Where can you see a Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot?
- The Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot occurs in 2 countries, including Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
- What birds look similar to a Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot?
- The Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot is most easily confused with the Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot, the Buff-faced Pygmy Parrot and the Finsch's Pygmy Parrot.
- Is the Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot endangered?
- The Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot for real
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